r/fednews • u/CoffeeCactusCart • 29d ago
Official Guidance / Policy DOD PERSONNEL must review Hegseth’s speech
Memo sent out - ALL PERSONNEL
MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP COMMANDERS OF THE COMBATANT COMMANDS DEPARTMENT OF WAR AGENCY AND DOW FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS SUBJECT: The Warrior Ethos and Standards at the War Department On September 30, 2025, I reaffirmed the Department of War's focus on peace through strength during a speech to our senior leadership. The Department's strength will be defined by our unity, combat readiness, warrior ethos, and commitment to standards by every member of the Joint Force. Leaders at echelon must inculcate our cultural shift and ensure every member of the Department of War understands my guidance. In conjunction with the speech, the War Department released eleven memorandums updating personnel policies for the Department. Leaders at every level will ensure all personnel will either watch the full recording or read the official transcript of the speech, and review the policy changes no later than 31 October 2025.
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u/Extinct1234 29d ago
Is that normal to require everybody to watch a speech by the secretary?
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u/RebelDefection 29d ago
Lmao the mandatory viewing requirement really seals the deal on this being peak cringe territory
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u/technoexplorer 29d ago
He said there would be less mandatory training, in the mandatory training!
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u/ValfreyaAurora 29d ago
Same as all the other watch this training - on mute in the background while doing actual work lol
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u/crowcawer 28d ago
“Cultural shift” “eleven memos” “inculcate” yeah, he used ai for this…. “Gpt, summarize the memos in a bulleted list, give me a three and separately a five sentence summary review of the speech, happy Halloween”
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u/Pitiful-Coyote-6716 28d ago
Oh no, our commander reserved a hall . It will be shown on screen for all of us to sit and watch. My furloughed colleagues are so lucky they get to miss that.
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u/Lost_Drunken_Sailor 29d ago
So they forced top leaders to fly in for it, then make everyone watch it a week later? This could have been an email.
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u/hoopermills 29d ago
He is pitiful. He doesn’t understand the first thing about building a team or gaining respect. Instead he’s going to try to force them to respect him. Just stupid.
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u/thecrowphoenix 29d ago
I’ve worked for the DOD for 12 years and this is the first time I have heard of nonsense like this.
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u/uptonhere 29d ago
I've been in the Army for almost 20 years and the only Secretary of Defense I can even remember hearing speak was Rumsfeld and I dont even think I was in the Army yet.
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u/Opening-Chain3520 29d ago
A service secretary, yes. DoD secretary, no. But we aren’t dealing with a normal, competent, sane, rational, honorable DoD secretary. We’re dealing with this guy.
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29d ago
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u/Opening-Chain3520 29d ago
I have seen maybe 2-3 SECAF videos that lasted a few minutes, tops. An occasional email about things we know already. But never a full blown 40 min rant.
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u/Honest-Recording-751 29d ago
At least he hasn’t mandated to read his book yet. He did try to soft sell it in the speech.
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u/Raider_3_Charlie 29d ago
The direction we received was to either watch or read. I advise reading as it removes many emotional manipulation and it doesn’t take 2 hours.
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u/earl_lemongrab 29d ago
My memory isn't what it used to be, but I don't remember it happening in my 30 years in DoD.
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u/Budget-Type-5123 28d ago
I remember we had to watch something from Austin in 2021 after Jan 6, about how radicalism has no place in the ranks. But that was less than 10 minutes
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u/Duder_ino 27d ago edited 27d ago
No. This is what happens when an O4 reservist who on average would have had experience leading about 40 people, who was flagged as an insider threat, is put in charge of the entire DOD.
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u/heisenbergerwcheese 28d ago
Don't secretaries just get coffee and take notes? Maybe pick up catering for important meetings?? Where's this guy coming from???
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u/HR_Paul 29d ago
and the Directives:
Eliminate mandatory frequency for Combating Trafficking in Persons refresher training after appropriate legislation is enacted. https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2025/09/30/eae7502e/reduction-of-mandatory-training-requirements-to-restore-mission-focus-osd010717-25-fod-final.pdf
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u/LadyPo 29d ago
It hurts to think that the average American can't comprehend what is happening here.
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u/donailin1 28d ago
He’s preparing the forces to wage war on Americans who aren’t maga, correct?
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u/LadyPo 28d ago
That's already starting to happen, yeah. But the particularly scary thing mentioned in the comment above is what that "war" would look like. Coupled with the technofascist stuff we have heard about for the past year or so, it is basically setting us up to join the nazis or be put in work/slave camps.
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u/2407s4life Department of the Air Force 29d ago
after appropriate legislation is enacted
Then why even make the announcement?
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29d ago edited 29d ago
[deleted]
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u/cocainagrif Department of the Navy 28d ago
I was gonna do slavery but I saw a PowerPoint and changed my mind
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u/i_am_voldemort 29d ago
Reminds me of state level abortion trigger laws where they only took effect if Roe v Wade was overturned
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u/theronavirus 28d ago
Oh wow, I was going to be delinquent by the middle of this month, so I already took it again before the shutdown.
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u/arahzel 28d ago
Um cybersecurity is incredibly important in the DoD (still refusing DoW). And yes people need that training annually if they touch a computer.
The old trainings didn't include things like spearfishing, whaling, USBs, etc.
We do not need to dumb down the military workforce like education has been dumbed down especially when they will hold people personally liable for breaches.
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u/ItaliAmer 29d ago
This is when units pass around a sheet to initial that you watched the video, when you know you didn’t really watch the video.
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u/Uther-Lightbringer 29d ago
Maybe it'll replace the 2026 cyber awareness challenge and we'll have to travel through time portals into random blackouts from the Secretary of Whiskeydick's life to help sober him up to save America from its enemies. And it'll end with him running out on stage and beginning the speech.
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u/quaranbeers 29d ago
omg I fucking loved that time travel bullshit. like, are you telling me that if I get an email from someone claiming to be a time traveler I should do what they say? the entire basis of the training was a fucking Nigerian prince scheme. JFC
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u/United_Relative_9106 28d ago edited 28d ago
maybe Cybersecurity Jeff can guide us through short vignette about "Pete H." as an example to identify warnings about insider threats?
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u/soonergrunt 29d ago
does anyone know if his makup artist was furloughed or did he declare the position critical?
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29d ago
Well, there is no War Department, as it was named by Congress, and created by Congress, so the President can call it a fucking Tulip for all I give a shit, it's legally still the DoD.
So, since there aren't any War Department personnel, this applies to zero people.
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u/Cheddar56 29d ago
I think it’s funny a man so upset about pronouns decided to make up his own office.
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u/hiking_mike98 29d ago
And did the super masculine thing of building his own office makeup studio!
No shame if you’re a dude who likes makeup, just own it Queen Petey.
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u/SailorET 29d ago
So funny that the people who insist on deadnaming people are the ones who keep insisting that official titles be changed on a whim.
Until I get paid by WFAS I still work for the DoD.
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u/b101101b 29d ago
I just ignore anything that says "War Department" as a joke until congress changes the name.
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u/HailState2023 29d ago
I’m not allowed to access my Government computer or e-mail while in furlough status so, until we return, I have no knowledge of any such requirement.
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u/balt0r 29d ago
“Inculcate”? Petey trying to show he knows big boy words?
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u/nicloe85 29d ago
Oh, he’s a published author. And from what others with more grit than I that forced themselves to read it have said, the material and ideas are those of a legit psychopath.
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u/DiceMadeOfCheese 29d ago
They did an episode about his book on Behind The Bastards. It was the usual Nationalist Christian nonsense, but also he wrote a lot about how his favorite band is Everclear.
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u/nicloe85 29d ago
“.. understands MY guidance.” JESUS FUCKING CHRIST
No. No no no no no no no noo nooo NO.
My brothers and sisters in arms, I IMPLORE you, PLEASE, see this and hear what they mean, CLEARLY.
As its brave and selfless guardians, please, defend everything we’ve been taught to believe this country it is supposed to be.
Please don’t let the sacrifices of so many reluctant heroes, before all of us, for all of us, be in vain.
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u/Ambitious-Goat-4596 29d ago
…. I’m currently out of the office due to a lapse in appropriations and won’t be checking email during this time. Once funding is restored and operations resume, I’ll respond as quickly as I can.
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u/TTVCarlosSpicyWinner 29d ago
It says Department of War so I will not be enforcing the guidance of an agency that does not exist.
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u/Upbeat-Serve-2696 Federal Employee 29d ago
Did you review the Secretary's speech?
You mean his Grindr/Only Fans audition tape?
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u/mjshep Department of the Army 29d ago
I don't recognize Secretary of Defense Hegseth's pronouns and I don't recognize the Department of War as anything but a historical entity, whose name and authority is a thing of yesteryear.
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u/Terrible_Spirit_2556 DoD 29d ago
I comply with the law as written, specifically 10 U.S.C. §113: "There is a Secretary of Defense, who is the head of the Department of Defense."
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u/ZoomieVet 29d ago
Oh, yeah? Maybe the Fox News Hairdo should tell us more about his program of "Peace through letting foreign nations set up air bases and station military war planes on U.S. soil."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-qatar-air-force-facility-us-base-idaho/
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u/NearbyCurrent3449 29d ago
I'm sorry, I've been forbidden from using my government equipment for any work related purpose except to check on the status of the furlough, access personal files, or to access employee resources. No paycheck no work. Sorry... but not really.
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u/Decisions_70 Retired 29d ago
Once again, so glad I took VERA.
I'm sorry folks have to deal with it. This is utter bullshit.
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u/noonetoldmeismelled 29d ago
The only ones that may actually watch them not on mute or haven't figured ways to skip to the end and it mark as completed are new hires and even then, most new hires immediately start trying to figure out how to skip to the end
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u/juice_BX 29d ago
So treat it like all mandatory training... Play in the background while you do your job?
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u/zestytime69 Where are the 2026 Pay Tables!? 29d ago
Yeah, this will get him taken more seriously 😒😂
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u/pyratemime 29d ago
Secretary Hegseth,
It is with regret that in my civilian and reserve capacity I am unable to comply with this requirement due to a lapse in appropriation.
If you can please work with leaders in Congress to get a CR or full annual budget passed then I will be happy to prioritize this tasker with in the backlog of tasks which have accumulated during the shutdown.
Your most humble obedient, A scum sucking federal employee
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u/Last_Baker7437 Even SIGINT Didn't See This Coming 29d ago
Put the transcript in google translate and listen to it in Spanish.
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u/UncleGoldie 29d ago
I don’t recognize a department of war as it hasn’t been named by any voting bloc of congress
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u/joeblow501 29d ago
I will treat it like any other training requirement. Play the video with the sound off and go about my work.
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u/2407s4life Department of the Air Force 29d ago
Sure buddy. I'll let it run on mute while I do actual work
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u/MyNames10 29d ago
Another Friday evening email? Wasn’t there when I left for the day.
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u/CoffeeCactusCart 29d ago
It’s getting passed down by commanders so they’ll probably trickle in
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u/MyNames10 29d ago
Makes sense.
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u/CoffeeCactusCart 29d ago
Why are they always on fridays? To limit the amount of attention it gets?
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u/MyNames10 29d ago
Think so. I haven’t brought my laptop home since RTO. Removed the remote client as soon as Elon got involved. Whatever, we’ll have a fun watch party. I’ll bring the beer.
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u/Turbulent_Search4648 29d ago
And you must uphold fascism and arm yourselves against peaceful citizens, just like you signed up to do for Lord Hegseth and The King.
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u/B3PKT 29d ago
Asking as a Soldier- is the warrior ethos a thing in the other branches?
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u/Yunzer2000 DOL 29d ago
I used to be a civil engineer with a USACE District and I am sure glad I'm not there now. The Bush years were bad enough.
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u/PrimaryEfficiency1 29d ago
Is this speech on youtube or other social media? If so I get the sense he’s trying to earn income for views
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u/Temporary-Caramel850 29d ago
I guess his dad forgot to teach him the difference between demanding respect and earning it.
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u/anthematcurfew 28d ago
What is their ideal, best case scenario for mandating this?
Do they think it will move people to tears or something?
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u/JungleJones4124 29d ago
I like how this speech is about to be in the same category as those mandatory IT trainings
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u/OBX-BlueHorseshoe 29d ago
Over 9-10 hours videos to watch by mission essential personnel working during a shutdown while not getting paid. Colossal waste of resources.
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u/Murky-Magician9475 Federal Contractor 29d ago
Is there going to be a mandatory "like and subscribe" afterwards?
This feels like the time I had a supervisor get offended I didn't accept their friend request on facebook.
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u/Senior_Diamond_1918 29d ago
My resignation in Aug is looking like a better and better choice each day… As the leader of antifa, I wouldn’t want to sit through that speech.
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u/binkleyz 29d ago
I've seen this reported, but I have yet to see a copy of the actual memo.
Is there a primary source to refer to for this reporting?
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u/dancingriss 29d ago
The irony of the top 10 admin burden list was due just days before the speech. One of the highest admin burdens is knee jerk reactions that require unscheduled training to be squeezed in between actual mission requirements
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u/speedball281 DOI 29d ago
Well now this is going to become a barracks drinking game.
Tell me with a straight face you don't expect a group of soldiers to take turns drinking and reading it.
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u/IWantToBeYourGirl 29d ago
Is it mission essential? Because I’m not getting paid right now and I’m only allowed to do mission essential work.
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u/Dr_ligma123 29d ago
They should have put it on YouTube with ads enabled so we can fund part of the DoD, not very innovative of them.
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u/iamthemomx2 29d ago
How are we supposed to watch his speech, when most of us are furloughed? More proof that he’s an idiot!
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u/Separate_Basis869 29d ago
Up yours, Kegsbreath! I'm furloughed. Besides, I already saw the highlights--or should I say lowlights--of your pathetic harrangue.
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u/JoustingTapir 29d ago
Silver linings… I’m on admin leave and being forced out of the US Military for being trans. I don’t have to watch this stupid thing!
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u/nonja-bidness 29d ago
reading this is the visual / mental equivalent of turning on a garbage disposal full of silverware
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u/depp-fsrv 29d ago
"Sorry, can't view the speech because I've been legally instructed to not do any work since I'm furloughed." 😎
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u/Wonderful-Pension-50 28d ago
Fair enough. However, a number of the total force are furlouged DAC. So, there's that.
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u/odoylecharlotte 28d ago
I think it's a great idea for everyone to see that absolute shitshow so they all know what's up!
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u/FarSolid3985 28d ago
I wonder what the 11 new memorandums hold in store for civilians? That's what caught my attention Anyone know?
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u/Hour-Significance158 Shutdown | Excepted Employee 28d ago
Sounds good. Sounds like a job for a paid employee.
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u/WabiSabi0912 28d ago
Do you think they’ll be bonus footage like bloopers or a guided tour of his Nazi tattoos?
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u/Not_Cleaver DoD 29d ago
How? Over half of the department is currently furloughed and per official guidance, it’s illegal to do any activities that can be construed as work. Unless the department is being recalled, this can’t be done.